Although the returning officer based at Kunaka Clinic in Dema refused to divulge the number of people who had cast their votes by 5pm, they confirmed that they had recorded very small numbers of people coming to cast their votes since morning.
“We are not in a position to give you the figures but all I can tell you is that there is not much activity here. Since morning, people have been coming in very small numbers and I cannot really say that we have been busy,” said the returning officer at Kunaka Clinic.
The returning officer told The Zimbabwean that some prospective voters were turned away after failing to produce positive proof of identification that they were Zimbabwean.
The situation was the same at Marikopo School where voters could be seen trickling in small number by late afternoon, a trend that sources said marked the morning and afternoon.
Villagers at Dema business centre told The Zimbabwean that lack of knowledge on the contents of the draft constitution had influenced their decision not to go and vote.
‘Personally, I have never seen this draft constitution. So why should I be expected to go and vote?” said Marko Tasarurwa (36).
At one polling station at Makoni Shopping Center, the situation was quite different as voters turned out in their numbers.
By 6.30pm, a total of 1, 900 voters had cast their votes.
“We have been busy throughout the day. Since morning, people have been coming in large numbers to cast their votes here,” said a returning officer.
At Seke Teacher’s College, there were two polling stations and 236 people had cast their votes by 6pm at one of the voting centers.
The second polling station at Seke Teacher’s College had recorded 395 voters by 6pm. A returning officer at the polling station told The Zimbabwean that 13 people had been turned away.
“The people were turned away for various reasons. Some did not have identity cards and were producing driver’s licenses while some had national identification cards indicating that they are aliens,” said a returning officer.
In Chitungwiza and Seke Rural constituencies, the situation was generally peaceful.
Post published in: News